Deputy Goforth's accused killer's competency still under evaluation

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BySteve Campion KTRK logo
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Accused deputy killer's competency under evaluation
Shannon Miles, the man accused of killing Deputy Darren Goforth, did not appear in court today, as his competency to stand trial is still being evaluated.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Shannon Miles, the man accused of killing Deputy Darren Goforth, did not appear in court today, as his competency to stand trial is still being evaluated.

Despite being indicted just last month, Miles' attorney saying in a previous, unrelated case he was committed. Now it was back on August 28th, when prosecutors say Miles walked up to Deputy Darren Goforth at gas station in the Cypress area, and shot him in the head - killing him.

They claim, Miles targeted Goforth simply because he was a member of law enforcement. We learned today, no one on Miles' defense teams say they've been able to have a real conversation with him.

"When you're talking about legal concepts, evidence in the case, the charges against you, things that involve an understanding of the legal system and the charges and strategizing and trying to figure out a defense. No I haven't gotten to that point. If I ask him how the weather is, he can tell me," said defense attorney Anthony Osso.

The attorney went on to say Miles has mental health issues. The formal arraignment for Miles has been pushed back to January 13 while the issue of competency is worked out.

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